Palaeoenvironmental evolution and sea-level changes in the coastal area of NE Lemnos Island (Greece) during the Holocene

The study area is located on the northeastern coast of Lemnos Island (North Aegean Sea, 40 degrees 2'30"N, 25 degrees 00'00"E). It covers the archaeological settlement of Hephestia located in the Purnia Gulf and the coastal area of Alyki Lagoon. Reconstruction of the palaeogeography used palaeoenvironment data delivered from foraminifera and sea-level changes, providing archeological data about the presence of a potential harbour in the area. Geomorphological mapping as well as sedimentological and micropalaeontological studies of the Holocene coastal deposits were conducted. Four boreholes were drilled from the Alyki Lagoon, reaching 2.5 m to 11 m at the deepest and two from Hephestia area, reaching a depth of 6 m. Twenty-four samples were dated using the AMS radiocarbon method, providing a chronology of the sedimentary units. The calculated age from the boreholes provides dates from 7050 cal BP to 990 cal BP There was a constant sea-level rise during the last 7000 cal BP in the study area. Results from the model of Lambeck sea level curve and sea level index point from Hephestia and Alyki show a vertical difference of 0.5-1.5 m below sea level. The foraminiferal fauna analysis shows the development of shallow marine conditions with fresh water influx during 7000-4000 cal BP and a temporary lagoon environment with fluctuations to shallow bay environment from 4000 to 990 cal BP. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.